BRIGHTON STRIKER EVAN Ferguson and Stoke City midfielder Will Smallbone have both earned their first senior call-ups as Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has named a 26-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Norway and Malta.
Jamie McGrath has been called up for the first time since 2021. The midfielder had not been playing regularly at Wigan and has made eight appearances for Dundee United since going to the Scottish club on loan this season, scoring his first goal there last night against Kilmarnock.
Notable absentees include Ryan Manning, who has impressed with Swansea City, Conor Coventry, who has seen recent European game-time with West Ham, and Wolves’ Joe Hodge.
Shane Duffy and Jason Knight also both failed to make the 26.
Middlesbrough defender Darragh Lenihan returns to the squad after injury ruled him out of the September international window and Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is also named after his impressive display in the penalty shoot-out victory last night for Liverpool in the EFL Cup.
Aberdeen defender Liam Scales and Wigan Athletic striker Will Keane also come into the squad.
Ireland will face Norway at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday 17 November, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
Kenny’s side then travel to Ta’Quli to face Malta at the National Stadium at 7pm on Sunday 20 November to finish their 2022 schedule.
Republic of Ireland squad:
- Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
- Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough), Liam Scales (Aberdeen, on loan from Celtic), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
- Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jeff Hendrick (Reading, on loan from Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Stoke City, on loan from Southampton), Jamie McGrath (Dundee United).
- Forwards: Michael Obafemi (Swansea City), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City).
He announced this week’s ago. Also ye are reporting today that McTominnay has declared for Scotland. That was announced last week.
I downloaded the app for up to date news, not old news I’d already heard.
@Trev Gilmore: to be fair McTominay was not called up today. But yeah, the Carrick news is old
@Dave O Keeffe: *was only called up today
@Trev Gilmore: no, he didn’t. Jose did.
Underused by England and underrated by clueless fans. A top class midfielder.
@The Bloody Nine: Agree 100% (Liverpool fan here)
@Keith Synnott: me too.
A Rolls Royce of a player.
So long Michael………it was a pleasure to watch you.
@David Sinclair: only comes out for the weddings is it?!
If I recall correctly, in LVG’S first season, Carrick was out injured in the early part of the season and United were struggling by mid November. Carrick came back from injury to help steady the ship and I think they won 8 and drew 2 of the next 10 games. He would have been 32/33 back then but he was still able to show what a good player he was to help turn United’s fortunes around. He was always unappreciated by the (non United) fans and pundits in Ireland like Giles and Dunphy, particularly on Champions League nights, because he had taken the place, and the jersey, of Roy Keane. Very underrated player, still capable of doing a job if required before he retires at end of season.
@Sloop John G: Always liked Carrick as a player Sloop John, don’t support any club he played for but he was the ultimate pro, and he played in teams where box box and scoring midfielders took the plaudits, Carrick doh knitted it all together held up play left players get into position and played the pass, sounds easy but he made it look easy not a bad medal haul either, will be missed by many football fans.
His watch is nearly ended. He did a fantastic job for the club,no messing,just got on with the job.
And he just learned to pass the ball forward. A legend though with a nice family life
A fine player who hardly ever put in a poor performance, unappreciated because he was seen as Keane’s replacement which he wasn’t and could never be.
@Eamonn Ó Maoldomhnaigh: That’s a good one Eamonn, now why didn’t I think of that :-)